Chapter Two: Wander no More. The Gypsy Finds a Home

Seeing to Gene had taken up most of their morning; they wouldn't arrive in Konoha until after nightfall. Kakashi sat up in the driver's bench seat with Haru, Sasuke and Sakura rode inside of the carriage and Naruto took the roof watching their back trail. Kakashi let them ride in silence for the better part of the afternoon. He wanted to give Haru a chance to let it all sink in. He knew this had to be difficult for her to be going through. Her father was gone now. Gene had been more then just Haru's friend; he had been her only companion, her only friend.

Finally Kakashi broke the silence. There were a few things he had to discuss with Haru. "We're getting close to Konoha," he said casually.

She wished that she was more excited about seeing the ninja village, but her father's death had robbed her of her more cheerful emotions. Still Haru tried to be pleasant to the ninja that had helped her see to her da. "Is it much further?" she tried to sound more curious then she felt.

Kakashi looked at Haru sidelong. She was trying to sound like she hadn't lost all interest in Konoha, but her tone was not one of curious excitement. It pulled at his heart to see her like this. This defiantly wasn't the Haru that had scolded the horse for being cowardly and called her father a geezer. Kakashi couldn't help but notice that Haru had not shed even a single tear for Gene. She had been keeping her sorrow on the inside. "Not too far now but there is something I forgot to mention to you." He was hoping that it would at least get a somewhat interested look from Haru, but she never took her eyes off the road.

"What might that be?"

"It's about Bugsy actually."

Haru turned a little and looked at Kakashi. Her curiosity was peaked, but in a defensive sort of way. Bugsy was all Haru had left to care for. "What about my horse?"

Kakashi faced Haru, twisting in his seat a little. She almost sounded annoyed. At least she's showing some real emotion. "Just outside of Konoha is a ranch. We will have to take Bugsy there. I'm sorry but there really isn't someplace to board a horse inside Konoha village."

"A ranch?" Just leave ol' Bugsy behind too ne?

"They have a lot of acreage; Bugsy will still be able to get a good workout. The family that runs the place is very accommodating. I'm sure that if you tell them about Bugsy's aversion to storms they'll have someone keep an eye on him. Most of the staff there is excellent. The only real shit head in the lot is their middle son. He can be a real jackass." Kakashi smiled a little and Haru raised a brow.

Maybe she was just a little bit interested. "You don't say?"

Kakashi was glad to be drawing some emotion out of her. "He won't have anything to do with Bugsy though. Hojo is mostly responsible for breaking in new horses; and Bugsy is pretty far and away from being new ne Haru san?"

Haru could see what Kakashi was doing. He was trying to lighten her mood. Have I seemed that miserable? Haru tried to smile. "He's an old fart alright."

Kakashi nodded. "No worries then." He reached for the reigns Haru held loosely in her hands. "We'll have to zigzag a bit to keep on a path wide enough for the carriage. The forest gets dense in some places. If it's alright with you I'll just guide Bugsy."

Haru's hands rested on her knees. The ninja beside her reached her way and she felt Kakashi's hands slip the reigns from her own. He was looking down as he transferred control of the coach from her to him, but Haru's eyes never left Kakashi's face. She watched him as he gently guided Bugsy a little more to the left. Bugsy…I'm just like Bugsy. Kakashi is leading me too. "I don't want to be a bother to you Kakashi."

He looked over at Haru a little surprised. "You're not a bother Haru."

She didn't think that was quite the truth. The ninja had already seen that her father had a decent burial. "I don't want you to fell responsible for me, not any of you. I'm not a child and I can take care of myself."

"Was I being patronizing Haru san? If I was, I didn't mean it."

Haru shook her head. "No, but I just… I don't want you to feel obligated to take care of me. Also…"

Kakashi lifted a brow. He could guess what Haru was about to say. She had promised to take them to Konoha and see the village, but Haru never promised to stay. "You don't intend to stay long in Konoha. Is that it Haru san?" Kakashi didn't think wandering would be good for Haru right now. She needed some stability in her life and friends that she could fall back on.

Haru let her eyes go back to Bugsy. "There isn't really a reason for me to stay too long. Sure I'll see the sights and whatever, but I was on my way to Tea country."

Kakashi suspected it was a half truth. He also remembered what Gene had said about Tea country. "That's where you were going to marry Shanihmaru isn't it?"

Haru startled and snapped her head around to look at Kakashi. The jonin was staring her down. "How did you!" but she didn't need to ask. "My father told you about Shanihmaru?" Why…?

"He told me what happened to your betrothed. I was sorry to hear such a thing."

Haru frowned at Kakashi. "Why did he tell you? What's it to you anyway?"

Kakashi took a deep breath. "Do you really think going to Tea country is going to make you feel any better Haru san? Wouldn't such a lonely journey only make you dwell on those that you have lost?"

Her mouth fell open. Sasuke had been downright blunt with her this morning, but she never suspected that Kakashi would be so direct with her too. "What business is it of yours what I do? Why the hell should you care anyway? If you're doing this because of my da, don't bother."

"I'm not doing this just for your da Haru san; I'm doing it for you too. I happen to like you, so does my team. It would be nice for you to stay in Konoha for a while, to be with friends."

Be with friends… That was something Haru hadn't done in years. She hadn't made many friends traveling around the way she did. Acquaintances yes, friends no. But these guys…they really do like me. They really are…friends. "It's not really my style to stay in one place too long," she said looking away from Kakashi. There was something slightly unnerving in his eye. She really didn't know what to think of him bringing up Shanihmaru so casually either. It was almost as if Kakashi was trying to use her love against her.

"Things change, people change." Kakashi kept his voice calm and even. "I understand that wandering was your way when you hade Gene san, but your situation is different now Haru san. I'm not saying that you should stay in Konoha forever and I certainly won't force you to stay if you really don't want to." It was a slight white lie. Kakashi would do everything he could to make Konoha more appealing. As soon as he reported back to hokage sama he would ask the elder about some sort of job for Haru. She was well read and there were always scrolls that needed translating. Iruka had been assigned the task of taking a census and organizing a file for every ninja presently alive in Konoha that had passed through the academy. There was plenty for Haru to do, if she would stay. Kakashi remembered what Gene had told him about how fascinated Haru had been with the Ninja Academy. "I just hope that you would give Konoha a chance. Perhaps you will like it there enough to stay, at least for little while."

Haru was sure that the shinobi village would be interesting. If she wasn't dealing with her da's death she would be very excited about it. Kakashi didn't sound pushy or demanding. She realized he was looking out for her, but there was more to it then that. Kakashi didn't want Haru to stay in Konoha just fer her, he wanted her to stay for him and the genin too. "I see." Haru let out a long tired sigh. "I can Konoha a try, maybe a few weeks."

Kakashi smiled and steered Bugsy further left again. A few weeks would give team seven plenty of time to convince the curious gypsy to stay longer. "That sounds good Haru san. We can all show you around. It will be fun."

She wasn't sure if she was capable of having fun right now, but for the sake of her new friends she could at least try. "Sure Kakashi."

They arrived at the ranch right around supper time. Kakashi brought them to a stop not far from the main house and everyone piled out. "Have a look around if you'd like Haru. I'll go meet with Nero and catch up to you all." Kakashi headed for the house, the genin followed Haru in a loose pack to look over the corrals.

Haru thought the ranch was nice. There seemed to be plenty of wide open pasture for her fat old horse to roam and graze. She turned toward the barn and saw a man pulling a horse toward an open fence in one of the corrals. The horse didn't look very happy. She was stomping her feet and trying to push the bit out of her mouth. The man pulling her reigns lifted a whip and Haru heard it connect with horse flesh. She narrowed her eyes at the man. "Is that Hojo?" she asked loud enough so that the genin behind her could hear.

"Yeah that's him," Sakura grumbled. She didn't like Hojo at all. She had seen him beat more then one animal.

"That guy is an asshole," Sasuke added sidestepping a pile of horse poo.

"I see." Haru headed Hojo's way. In the short time it took her to get to him she counted six more lashes with the whip. Hojo was going for seven when Haru stepped in the way and grabbed the whip. It stung her hand but she welcomed the pain. "Just what do you think you're doing to this mare?"

Hojo's eyes widened for a moment. Some stupid woman had caught his whip in her hand. He saw blood seeping between her fingers. "What are you doing woman? Are you nuts?"

"I asked you what you're doing to this horse dick hole." Haru felt her own blood running down her wrist. Beyond Hojo she could see the genin were coming her way.

Hojo tried to jerk his whip back but the woman didn't let go. "Mind your own business!" Hojo looked the woman up and down.

Haru took a step closer to Hojo trying to yank the whip away from him. "She isn't going to obey you just because you beat her shit face. That's no way to break a horse."

"So you can see what I'm trying to do then can ya? Well then, you should know better then to get in the way."

"Whipping her is only going to make her angry and frightened. It will take you longer to saddle her if she's anxious like this. Your way of breaking horses is cruel and it wastes time."

Naruto skirted a pile of fresh shit behind Sasuke. Sakura hurried to keep up with them. She noticed Haru was bleeding as they got closer. "Haru nee chan is bleeding," Sakura gasped.

Hojo glared at the woman. "Just who the fuck do you think you're talking to you slut?"

Haru's lip curled into a snarl. "Bastard," Haru growled. She let the whip go and stepped forward. She brought her knee up fast and hard nailing Hojo right in the groin. He let go of the whip as the air rushed out of his body.

"My balls!" Hojo grabbed for his aching manhood. He dropped to his knees groaning in agony. "You bitch! You miserable fucking cunt!"

Those were the last words Hojo managed to get out before Sasuke appeared behind him. Disgusted and angry Sasuke kicked Hojo in the back of the heard rendering him unconscious. Hojo tipped forward and landed unceremoniously in a pile of crap. "Asshole," Sasuke grumbled irritated.

Haru looked from the jerk lying in the manure up to Sasuke. The genin was frowning, but Haru could see that Sasuke was pleased with himself. "Nice one Sasuke kun." Haru's lips curled into a smile.

"You too Haru san."

"Sasuke kun…suge!" Sakura squealed as she rushed forward. She hurried to Haru's side. "Nee chan your hand!"

Naruto came up beside Sasuke looking down at Hojo. "I coulda done that," he pouted.

Haru held her hand out to Sakura so she could asses the damage. "It's not bad."

Sakura looked at the slice the whip had left in Haru's palm. "We should get that cleaned up and bandaged. Come on, we'll go to the house. The Obasan here will fix you right up."

Haru raised a brow. "After we beat up her son? Do you really think so?"

"It's not like the old lady doesn't know Hojo's a dick," Naruto offered. "She has probably been dreaming of a day like this."

"Humph," Sasuke grunted. Face down in the shit pile, right where you belong asshole.

Sakura tugged on Haru's sleeve leading her backing the direction of the house. Haru allowed herself to be pulled a few steps before she stopped. "Hey wait a minute; I can't leave Bugsy here with this guy. What if he does something to Bugsy?"

Sasuke flashed his Sharingan eyes at Haru. "If he so much as lays a finger on your horse he'll have to deal with me. I make that very clear to him just as soon as he pulls himself out of that pile of shit."

Naruto grinned. "Yeah! Me too! If he's mean to Bugsy I'll kick the crap out of him dattebayo!"

Sakura shrugged her shoulders. "See, no problem. Now come with me Haru nee chan."

Sakura led Haru to the house; Naruto and Sasuke leaned back against the fence waiting for Hojo to come to. The mare they had been fighting over had seen enough human drama for one day and moved along to greener pastures. Just as Sakura said, the old lady of the house looked after Haru's wound right away. She apologized repeatedly for her son's behavior and assured Haru that her ageing draft horse would be in good hands here at the ranch. Haru apologized to the old woman bandaging her hand for kneeing her son. The old woman laughed and commented that she didn't want him giving her grandchildren anyway. As if to further prove that she was not offended, the old woman fed them all dinner.

Kakashi made the arrangements with Nero, the proprietor of the ranch, to look after Haru's horse and store her carriage out of the elements. Sasuke recounted the little scuffle to his sensei. The jonin was far from pleased to hear about Haru's encounter with Hojo. Kakashi was quietly furious that Haru had been injured during the confrontation even if grabbing the whip was her own fault. He was equally angered that Hojo had called Haru "slut" and "fucking cunt". Kakashi decided that next time he visited the ranch Hojo would end up hip deep in old horse shit.

Haru grabbed two of the more organized bags of her stuff from the carriage. Naruto immediately offered to carry them both for her so she let him. It was already getting dark when Haru gave Bugsy a final scratch farewell and followed the ninja into the woods.

A waxing moon rose overhead as they made their way toward the village. They would be arriving much later then Kakashi had originally planned. Talking to hokage and Iruka would have to wait until morning. Kakashi paid close attention to Haru as they made their way through the forest. It seemed as though her little confrontation with Hojo had breathed some of the life back into Haru. She was talking with his genin again, laughing even. Kakashi smiled in relief behind his mask.

It was after ten when they arrived in Konoha. Kakashi took Haru's bags from a pouting Naruto. "I don't see why Haru nee chan just doesn't stay at my place," Naruto quipped.

"The roaches at your place might carry Haru san off in the night," Kakashi teased. "Go now all of you. Get some rest. You can catch up with me and Haru san in the morning."

Haru bade them all goodnight waving at them as they disappeared down the quiet streets of Konoha. Haru turned back to Kakashi. "So, where can I find the inn?"

"We can worry about more long term accommodations in the morning Haru san. Tonight you're welcome to have my room." Kakashi started walking again, Haru hurried to catch up.

"Wait a minute Kakashi. Have your room?"

Kakashi chuckled to himself. Welcome to my parlor said the spider to the fly. "I hope you don't mind Haru san. I live in the west wing dorms behind the Ninja Academy. We'll cut across campus to get there."

Ninja academy? Campus! "Oh really?" It sounded too good to pass up. "Sure; I don't mind."

Kakashi smiled and nodded. "I was hoping you'd say that." That was the truth. Kakashi was all out of pocket money. He had spent everything he had left paying Nero to board Bugsy and the coach.

Haru smiled a little. "Is the academy far?"

"No not at all. It's just this way." Kakashi led them through the village to the academy. He slowed his pace some as they passed the school itself so Haru could get a nice and long curious look. She followed him through the courtyard and inside. Kakashi directed them up the stairs and to his room. He went in first and switched on the light. Haru came in behind him and stood just inside the doorway.

Kakashi turned the light on and Haru looked around. His room was not quite what Haru expected; Kakashi was a busy guy living on his own. To her surprise his room was almost spotlessly clean. Not bad for a bachelor. There were shelves of books, a desk and his neatly made bed. There were pictures in frames on his headboard. Haru's natural nosey took over and she moved that way as Kakashi set her bags down at the foot of the bed. Haru bent over and looked at the pictures. One of them was of her new friends, team seven. She smiled and turned to the other picture. A giggle escaped her lips. Oh my god its chibi Kakashi! "Jeez Kakashi, were you born wearing a mask or what?"

Something like that… "The people in that picture are my old team. Rin chan, Obito kun and Yondaime sensei. We disbanded a long time ago but seeing their faces every day reminds me of my duty as a shinobi of Konoha. Both Obito and Yondaime died for Konoha."

Haru straightened and looked at Kakashi wide eyed. "Died for Konoha?"

"Obito died on a mission during the war. Yondaime gave up his life to seal away a powerful monster that attacked the village over a dozen years ago." Kakashi wasn't quite sure why he was telling Haru all of this. Maybe he was trying to let her know he had dealt with the loss of a loved one too. Maybe it was because it was easy to talk to Haru. Kakashi had already found himself getting rather comfortable around her. I wonder which it really is. I guess there's just something about Haru…

"I'm sorry to hear that Kakashi." Haru's eyes went back to the picture of young Kakashi and his team. So the blonde guy and the kid with the goggles are dead. "What happened to this girl?"

"Rin left Konoha a long time ago and I've never heard from her since."

"Oh," Haru looked back at the picture of team seven. The two pictures seemed similar in more ways then one. "Is Naruto related to your old sensei? They sure do look a lot alike."

Ne? Kakashi lifted a brow. It had taken Haru all of thirty seconds to associate Naruto with Yondaime. "I've never noticed," Kakashi tried to sound casual. He needed a change of subject now. "Why don't you let me take a look at your hand Haru san? We really should get a clean bandage on it."

Haru looked at her hand. It had mostly stopped bleeding when the old woman had wrapped it up, but it had wept a little along the way. There was a blood stain in her palm. "Eww, yeah I guess so." She turned her back to the pictures forgetting about them for the moment. Kakashi took a seat on the bed and gestured for her to sit beside him. Haru sat next to Kakashi and held her hand out to him. "Looks like it did bleed a little more."

Kakashi frowned a little as he set to unwrapping the bandage. "You shouldn't be so reckless Haru san."

"He was provoking me," she growled back defensively.

Kakashi sighed. "I told you Hojo was an ass didn't I?" He got the bandage off and examined the cut turning her hand a bit. It wasn't too deep, but it ran the entire length of her palm. "I should have been there," he rebuked himself.

"Sasuke kun knocked that jerk out."

"After you got hurt." He lifted his eye to Haru. "Someone should have stopped you before you ended up getting hurt. My genin were too slow to take action. Had I been there it would have been me getting hit not you."

"Kakashi," Haru warned. "Didn't we have this discussion? Didn't I already tell you that you that you're not responsible for me?"

"Haru san," he started, but Haru interrupted before he could counter.

"No," Haru shook her head. "I do whatever the hell I want, got it? There is nothing you can do about it so just deal with it." She scowled at him a little to prove her point.

Whatever the hell you want ne Haru san? Why am I not surprised. Kakashi nodded and feigned defeat. "Very well Haru san. I will just deal with it." He let go of her hand and stood up. He stepped over to the desk and opened the bottom drawer. Kakashi reached down and grabbed his first aid kit. He turned back to Haru; she was watching his every move. "Can I at least put a clean bandage on your hand?"

"Yes." Haru huffed out the majority of her annoyance in a breath. Kakashi sat beside her again and rifled through his medicine kit. She saw him bring out a familiar looking brown bottle. "Oh hell no!" Haru got to her feet. "No iodine. You are not putting that on me."

Kakashi blinked at her surprised. "What's the problem Haru, its just iodine. You aren't allergic to it are you?"

"No! It just…" she could feel her cheeks heating up. "It …stings…Really bad too."

No kidding. "Of course it stings, it's cleaning the cut."

"Yeah well I don't like it. I don't want none of that shit."

"Haru san," Kakashi regarded her patiently. "The cut has to be sterilized and bandaged. You know that." Haru went on frowning keeping her eyes on the little bottle in his hand. "Don't tell me that you're such a wimp that a little iodine scares you," Kakashi teased. It seemed to be the only way to get Haru to give in and let him take care of her. The old reverse psychology. Gets 'em every time.

"I'm not scared of iodine," Haru pouted.

Kakashi shrugged his shoulders. "Prove it…wimpy." He smiled smugly up at her.

Jerk. I'll prove it to you. "Humph!" Haru returned to her seat on the bed. She shoved her wounded hand at Kakashi. "Just do it then," she grumbled.

I win. Kakashi smiled at Haru and twisted the bottle open. He held her hand steady with his left and applied the iodine with his right. He was half way through when Haru decided to share her pain with him. Her free hand wrapped around his thigh like a vice startling him for a moment. Well hello there! You better watch where you're grabbing Haru san! Kakashi peeked up at her. Haru's eyes were squinted tightly shut. "Almost done Haru san. I'm doing the best I can."

"Just get it over with." She had grabbed some part of Kakashi's leg. She let go of his leg but still held a fistful of pant leg. "Just do me already would ya!"

I'd love to his inner lecher cheered. Kakashi went as quickly as he could trying to give the cut his full attention. "We can have a medic take care of this in the morning." He finished applying the iodine and screwed the bottle closed. "Alright Haru, the hard part is over. You can look now."

Haru opened her eyes and looked down at her damaged hand. It looked gross and she wrinkled her nose at the sight. Her eyes went to her other hand and Haru froze for a moment. Oh my god I almost grabbed his…! Her cheeks turned red when she saw just how high up on his thigh she had grabbed Kakashi. Haru let go of his pants and pulled her hand away quickly. "Oh…sorry Kakashi."

Kakashi laughed a little as Haru's face turned pink. He couldn't resist teasing just a little bit. "Yes well lucky for both of us I'm hung like a hamster. Otherwise I would be singing soprano for a while ne?"

Haru's mouth fell open and she looked at Kakashi wide eyed. Her entire face was going red now, Haru could feel it. "Kakashi!"

As he expected, her reaction was hilarious. Kakashi broke into a round of laughter. "Sorry Haru san," he brought himself back under control. "I just couldn't resist giving you a hard time. Payback's a bitch ne?"

Haru knew she was a lousy patient. Embarrassing the hell out of her was Kakashi's revenge. She smiled a little; secure in the knowledge that this is what friends do. "So that's how it is huh?"

Kakashi readied the clean bandage. "Didn't my students tell you? I can be a real asshole." Still chuckling some Kakashi set to wrapping Haru's hand.

"I don't need your students to tell me that," she jabbed back.

He was smiling behind his mask. He enjoyed their playful banter. "Of course you don't." He took care of her hand quickly and as gently as possible. Kakashi turned Haru's hand over and taped the end of the bandage. "In the morning I'll take you over to Konoha hospital. It will take a medical nin all of five minutes to heal this cut."

"Medical ninja? You have those here in Konoha too?"

Kakashi was satisfied with the dressing and looked up into Haru's eyes. "Quite a few actually. They use their chakra to heal wounds like this," Kakashi lifted her hand a little.

"Completely heal?"

Kakashi nodded. "It won't even leave a scar behind."

"Wow," Haru was truly impressed. "That's really cool."

The smile Haru was favoring him was genuine. Kakashi was glad to see Haru coming around to her normal self again. "You should really give Konoha a fair chance Haru san. You might actually like it here."

For a long moment Haru just gazed at Kakashi's face. From what she could see of him, he was smiling. She thought saw a hopeful wish in his dark blue eye. "Maybe."

Haru was focused on him, and she in turn had his undivided attention. Her cheeks were flush from his teasing and Kakashi thought her blush made her look even prettier, if such a thing was even possible. "I'm sure a brilliant mind like yours could be put to good use in this village."

"How so?"

"Well you are fluent in three or four different languages. Hokage sama always seems to be in need of a translator. I'm sure he has documents piled to the ceiling that need to be transcribed."

Translating for ninja would give her the opportunity to learn something about the shinobi. "You don't say?"

"I also happen to know that Iruka at the ninja academy," he stressed where, "is buried in a mountain of work. The poor guy is totally stressed out. What he needs is a smart assistant with an eye for detail."

"The ninja academy ne?" Work at the ninja academy? That would be sweet!

It was time to play his hand. "If either of those tasks sound even remotely interesting I'm sure your help would be beyond appreciated."

"Hokage sama is the leader of your village and Iruka is a teacher at the academy right?"

Kakashi nodded. He was vaguely aware that he was still holding Haru's hand. She didn't seem to mind. "Either job would be perfect for you. In fact, they both are. There's just one little catch," his smile got bigger.

"I would have to stay here in Konoha."

"For a while at least." He hoped that his offer had enticed her. Kakashi wasn't quite ready to let Haru leave Konoha just yet. The work he was talking about would take months to complete.

"Are we talking months?" Haru was wondering if she could take both jobs. They sounded equally fascinating and educational. She hadn't been planning to stay in Konoha but…

"Yes. Three at least, probably more like five or six."

Spend six months here studying the shinobi. It sounded like a fantastic opportunity. She dropped her eyes and noticed Kakashi was still holding the hand he had bandaged for her. Spend six months with my friends. Kakashi and his team. "It does sound very interesting."

Haru was looking at their hands. "Think it over Haru san. Tonight at least." Kakashi got up giving Haru's hand back to her. He took a step toward the door. It was getting late and he should let Haru get some rest. It had been a long day for her, for Kakashi too. He had been digging a grave at sunrise. Kakashi looked back at Haru. "Why don't you sleep on it ne Haru san?"

It looked like Kakashi was leaving. "Kakashi, where are you going?"

"You can have my room tonight Haru san. I'll take one of the empty rooms down the hall."

He is leaving. I'll be here…all alone… "Wait! You don't have to go. I don't want to kick you out of your room." I don't want to be in this strange place all alone….

Kakashi sensed the tension in her voice. "It's no problem Haru san." He turned so he could face her. Haru seemed to shrink some. She almost seemed afraid. Not in the way she was with the iodine, more like she's like a lost child right now.

"Take your bed Kakashi. I'll just sleep on the floor," Haru tried.

Kakashi understood what was going on. "How about you take the bed and I take the floor, if you don't mind me sleeping in here with you that is."

Haru felt the relief rush in. "No, I don't mind at all. We can just share the bed if you want to. I don't mind." Kakashi's bed was big enough for two.

Share the bed ne? Oh boy… what am I supposed to say to something like that? Haru was looking at him with innocent eyes. Don't be a slob Kakashi. Haru's just being nice. "I hog the covers," he warned. It was the best he could come up with.

Haru relaxed a little and bent to unbuckle her shoes. "So do I. guess we'll find out which one of us is better at stealing the blankets then ne?" She laughed as she kicked off her shoes grateful that Kakashi would stay. She wanted another warm body near her tonight. It had been a long and largely painful day.

Oh boy…she really wants to do this. Kakashi knew that if he refused her chaste offer it would only make him look like a deviant unable to control his more 'passionate instincts'. He laughed a little to hide his fraying nerves. "If you say so Haru san. I'll just grab my p.j.'s and go change in the other room." Kakashi moved to his closet.

Haru grabbed a bag and hefted it up on the bed to find her own pajamas. "You aint gonna ditch me are you?" she couldn't help but ask. She wanted to be one hundred percent sure she didn't have to go through this night alone.

Kakashi grabbed his fuzzy flannel pajamas. "Of course not. I'll be back in two minutes." He headed out of his room closing the door behind him to give Haru the privacy to change into something more comfortable to sleep in.

Haru rifled through her bag until she found a nightgown and a robe. They were both silky smooth, knee length and dark red. She changed quickly stuffing her dirty clothes into a separate compartment of her bag. With her laundry taken care of Haru tossed the bag next to her other one and turned down the bed. The pictures on the headboard caught her attention again. In the picture of team seven Sasuke looked put out. She looked at his image remembering what he had said to her this morning.

Both your father and Kakashi sensei only have your best interests in their actions. Gene san asked that Kakashi take you someplace safe and Konoha is. Your father didn't want you wandering alone. He was worried about what could happen to you. That is why he asked Kakashi sensei for all of us to look after you nee san.

Haru picked up the picture of team seven. She sat down with it in her lap. Sasuke said his parents died. He drew the Tower… could they have been murdered I wonder. Was their death the violent change that happened in Sasuke's past? She stared at the picture for a moment longer and then set it back next to its mate. Kakashi's old sensei does look like Naruto. Related somehow I'm sure. She heard footsteps in the hall and turned back to the door. Kakashi came in dressed for bed and carrying his uniform.

Kakashi came in and shut the door behind him. He saw Haru sitting on his bed in her own pajamas. She's all…silky and… He forced himself to look away and threw his clothes in the hamper. "Are you all set Haru san? Do you need anything else before bed?"

Haru eyed Kakashi curiously. He was still wearing his head protector and his mask. "Do you sleep with that thing on too?"

Kakashi turned to Haru and tried not to stare at her shapely legs. "What thing?"

She laughed lightly. "You sleep with your mask on even in your own bed?" She remembered he didn't take it off once while they were traveling, including when he was sleeping. She thought that maybe in his own environment he might shed the thing, at least to sleep.

Kakashi shrugged his shoulders. "Sometimes I fall asleep before I remember to take it off. I'm just so used to it that I barely notice it anymore." Kakashi moved over to the bed and sat with Haru.

"Why do you wear that thing anyway?" she had held back the question for as long as she could, days even! She didn't want to offend him, but the curiosity was like slow torture.

"Well, there's the big scar over my left eye," Kakashi pulled off his head protector and tossed it on the desk. He looked at Haru with both eyes hoping he had given her enough of an answer.

Haru wondered how big the scar that crossed his eye was. She didn't give it too much thought, Haru slid closer to Kakashi. "Can I see it? The scar you think is so terrible?" Haru had learned long ago that if she wanted something the quickest way to get it was to ask.

Kakashi thought about it for a minute. The scar wasn't that bad, but he didn't go around exposing his face. But Haru is not from Konoha. There is no way she would know about… "It isn't pretty."

"What scars are?" she countered. "I'm not going to freak out or something Kakashi I just," she smiled at him. "I want to see your face. Is that really so odd? I mean, we are friends right?"

There really was no reason to hide his face from Haru other then force of habit. She had never been to Konoha; she had no idea who the White Fang of Konoha was. "Sure we are Haru, it's just that…" He searched his mind for an excuse, but he could think of nothing.

Haru smiled at Kakashi. "You can't even come up with a good excuse can you?"

Kakashi laughed softly. "I guess you got me Haru san." Why the hell not. Kakashi peeled his mask off and tossed it upon the desk next to his forehead protector. Smiling a little he turned to Haru. "Happy now?"

For a moment Haru was too stunned to say anything. He's so… Haru blinked at Kakashi. Kakashi is so handsome… She had been expecting scars or some other awful disfigurement, but aside from the scar over his left eye there was none.

There was a strange look in Haru's eyes as she looked him over. "Haru san?"

Haru blinked again and stared up into Kakashi's eyes. "Huh?"

He smiled at her. "You were expecting a monster ne? Horrible burn marks and scars?"

She felt the blood rushing to her cheeks again. "I didn't know what to expect. I thought that maybe you were hiding something, but," Haru was confused. "I don't get it Kakashi. You're a good looking guy. Why would you want to hide your face?"

"What is a scar Haru? Is it not a reminder of something horrible that happened to you?"

"I guess so, but you only have one scar and it's not that bad."

Kakashi shook his head negative. He still didn't know why he was feeling so comfortable with Haru, why he was telling her things and letting her see his face like this. There was just something about her he could relate to. "My face, the whole thing is like a scar because… I look just like my father. I look just like the man I grew to hate."

"Hate your father? But…why?" Haru had been pissed off at her da before but she had never hated him.

"We're very different people so you can see why it sucks for me to look like him can't you Haru?" Kakashi was pretty sure he had never told anyone this before. Why now? Why Haru? Is it because she just lost Gene?

Haru felt bad for Kakashi because she could understand. "I'm sorry Kakashi."

Kakashi let the rest out. It almost made him feel better to get this off his chest. "My father was a well known ninja in this village, everyone knew his face. I guess I keep mine hidden so that I wont be associated with him; so that I will be recognized for myself alone. Without the mask I am Sakumo's son, but with the mask I am just Kakashi." He studied Haru's empathetic eyes. He could see that she understood what he was saying and that made him feel somewhat better. You were lucky to have a dad like Gene for as long as you did Haru. Cherish that.

"Well, with or without your mask you're still just Hatake Kakashi to me." Haru reached up and pinched his cheek in jest. "And aint you just adorable."

Kakashi pulled Haru's hand away from his cheek. For just a moment they were face to face. For just a moment Kakashi was staring down at her smile. For just a moment he wondered what it would be like to kiss the beautiful woman in his bed. "It's late Haru san." Kakashi let go of her hand. "Time for bed. I get the outside."

"Alright." She moved to the side of the bed next to the wall. She had been tired all day. Depression can do that to you. She thought she could sleep now though and she crawled under the covers. Kakashi got up and shut the light. Darkness surrounded her and Haru slipped her robe off. She tossed it down to the foot of the bed and lay her head down on Kakashi's comfy pillows.

Kakashi could see well in the dark especially with his Sharingan. He tried not to think of Haru's little nightgown as he crawled into bed beside her. Kakashi lay back and got comfortable. "Goodnight Haru san," he sighed tiredly.

Haru thought about cuddling up next to Kakashi, but she didn't want him to think she was too clingy. "Goodnight Kakashi." Besides, the last man I cuddled up to in the night was Shanihmaru. We were more then friends, he was my everything. Kakashi isn't Shanihmaru, he is my friend. Haru yawned. Ten minutes later she was sound asleep.

Kakashi woke the next morning at his usual time; roughly ten minutes before his alarm clock could start screaming. He felt a warm body against his own and smelled patchouli. Haru… Kakashi opened his eyes and looked at the way he had ended up with Haru in their sleep. She had an arm and a leg thrown around him and her head rested on his chest. Her hair tickled at Kakashi's cheek. He had put an arm around her and was holding Haru up against him. Well well… isn't this nice?

Kakashi smiled a little. Yes it was nice, but it was also completely inappropriate for him to be cuddling Haru like this. Haru was his guest not his girlfriend. Too bad for me. He reached up with his free hand and turned his alarm clock to off before it could ring and wake Haru. Kakashi had to get up and get busy, but he didn't want to crawl out of his nice warm bed just yet. He let his eyes slip closed for just a few minutes more. He was tempted to trace the arm Haru had around him with his fingers, but he thought that if he touched her she might wake up. She'd probably think I was a pervert. Kakashi suppressed a chuckle. Maybe I am just a little…

As comfortable as it was to lay with Haru and let her keep him warm, Kakashi had to get moving. He slipped out of bed doing his best not to disturb her. Haru snuggled against his pillow in his absence. Kakashi gathered clean clothes and headed for the shower. He would report to hokage straight away and inform the old man he had brought home a scribe. Kakashi was sure once the old fart got a look at Haru he would be begging her to work for him; Sandaime sama was a closet pervert after all and Haru was very attractive. After he secured a job for Haru at hokage's office Kakashi would drop in on Iruka. The poor chunin was up to his eyeballs in paperwork aside from his daily duties with the class he taught. Kakashi was certain that Iruka would gladly accept any help he could get. It was a fairly time consuming project he was working on. Too much busy work for one person really.

Cleaned up and ready to face a new day Kakashi popped back into his room for a minute. He dropped off his pajamas and donned his mask and forehead protector. He looked down at Haru for a moment. She had indeed confiscated all of the covers but most of them were behind her; just a bit of blanket covered her middle. Nice…Kakashi's mask hid a lecherous smile as he hurried out of his room to start the day.

Kakashi went to hokage's place first. The old man was in his office drinking a cup of highly caffeinated tea to wake himself up. "Ohayou hokage sama," Kakashi greeted stepping into his office. He pulled the two scrolls from Densun from his pouch and laid them on the desk.

Sarutobi sipped his tea. "Thank you Kakashi. I don't suppose they gave us scrolls in the modern language?"

Kakashi laughed a little. "No such luck hokage sama, but I do believe I have found a solution to your problem. I have found a scribe. I brought her back to Konoha last night."

Sarutobi lifted his eyebrows. "Oh? So you picked up a woman ne Kakashi?"

Kakashi smiled a little embarrassed. "It's not quite like that hokage sama." He really is a closet pervert. "My team and I encountered Haru san and her father just outside of Densun," Kakashi began. He recounted the last few days to hokage informing him of Haru's fluency in multiple languages. "I was hoping that perhaps you could put her skills to good use. I'm sure that Haru san could translate many of the scrolls that have been piling up around here lately. What do you think hokage sama?"

"I think your gypsy lady friend sounds like a godsend." Sarutobi smiled at the jonin. "You really think she'll take the job? There's quite a bit to be transcribed."

Kakashi nodded. "Yes, I believe she will. I was also thinking she could give Iruka sensei a hand with his project if you approve hokage sama."

He did. Sarutobi knew that Kakashi wouldn't let someone suspicious near Konoha's historical documents. He could trust the jonin's judgment of character. "Quite a work load. It will take months to complete." He studied the jonin, Kakashi looked hopeful and he was smiling. "I'm heading over to the academy shortly for a meeting. If Haru is interested in taking on either or both jobs, bring her to me."

Kakashi bowed politely. "Hai." He turned to go; he had good news for Haru.

"Oy Kakashi," Sarutobi had just one more question. He had never seen Kakashi so taken with someone he barely knew. The jonin looked his way and Sarutobi smiled. "This Haru san of yours, she is a good looking woman ne Kakashi?"

Kakashi laughed. "Hai hokage sama." Perverted old geezer. He laughed again.

The jonin was laughing at him, but Kakashi was also faintly blushing. I see; so she's already caught Kakashi's eye ne? Sarutobi chuckled himself. "I was just curious. Go ahead and go find Iruka. Let him know he may be getting an aide, if Haru will accept the challenge." Kakashi bowed and went out. Sarutobi sat back with his strong tea. He couldn't wait to meet the woman that had Kakashi so flustered. I wonder if he even knows just how taken with her he already is? Kakashi…such a pervert.

Kakashi's next stop was the academy, Iruka's office. He found the chunin sitting at his desk scribbling notes on a pad at hand. There were stacks of folders everywhere; his desk, on top of the filing cabinets, even on the floor. "Oy Iruka," Kakashi called from the door.

Iruka lifted his tired eyes up to the familiar voice. "Ohyo Kakashi sensei," he greeted half heartedly. Iruka was exhausted stressed out and just a little miserable. "What brings you here so early? It's not more work is it?"

"Actually I've come to ask you if you would like an assistant on this project."

"Assistant? You don't mean Naruto?" Iruka frowned at the image his mind created. Naruto trashing his office and throwing his folders all over the place.

"No not Naruto, Haru san actually. My team and I brought her back to Konoha with us just last night."

Iruka blinked at Kakashi. "Nani? You picked up a chick Kakashi?"

What's with everyone this morning? "It's not like that Iruka." Kakashi rolled his eyes and fell into an explanation of how Haru had come to be in Konoha. He added that hokage had given his permission for Haru to do some translating for him and to lend Iruka a hand.

Iruka was listening, but his mind snagged on a detail. "She slept in your room last night? Where were you?"

"I was there too, but that's not what matters. I just need to know if you are interested in taking Haru on as an assistant. I'm sure she would be a big help to you."

"Yes of course. I'd love to have some help." Iruka looked Kakashi up and down. They shared his room last night ne? "She your girlfriend Kakashi sensei?"

Kakashi sighed. "No, Haru and I are friends. Why would you think…?" Because I brought her back to my room last night. Kakashi could see how it might sound devious to the uninformed. "Alright then Iruka, I'll bring Haru san by in a little bit." He turned and hurried away from the chunin's suspicious stare. Looks like Konoha is just full of guys with overactive imaginations this morning. Kakashi laughed quietly to himself and headed back to the dorm. He had good news to wake Haru up to.

Haru woke up shortly after Kakashi left. She hoped that he was going after coffee. Haru had slept well last night, but she was a bit groggy this morning. She crawled out of bed and stretched as she yawned. Haru made up Kakashi's bed for him and took some clean clothes out of one of her bags. She knew where the ladies showers were so Haru threw on her robe and went that way. A nice hot shower was just what she needed to wake up.

Kakashi made his way back to his room, but Haru wasn't there. His bed was made and she had lain out clean clothes for herself. Maybe she went to the bathroom? Everybody has to pee first thing in the morning. Kakashi smiled and went to his desk. He opened the middle drawer and pulled out the Konoha directory. He occupied himself looking down the list of inns and apartment complexes. He wouldn't complain if Haru moved into his room, but that just wasn't going to happen. She needed her own space; a place of her own here in Konoha. A few minutes later Kakashi heard footsteps coming down the hall. He turned toward the door and waited to see if it was Haru coming back. Indeed it was. Holy…crap…

Haru made her way back to Kakashi's room rubbing her hair dry with a towel in one hand. She carried her clothes in the other; she had wrapped up in a soft bath towel. She threw her clothes on the bed and looked up. "Oh, Kakashi. I didn't even see you there."

"Uh…" Kakashi tried not to leer. He started toward the door doing his best to avoid close contact with she's practically naked! Haru. "Go ahead and get dressed Haru san. I have some good news for you."

Kakashi looked embarrassed, flustered. She couldn't hold back her devious smile. He was back pedaling toward the door. "Good news?"

Kakashi made it to the door. "I spoke with hokage sama and Iruka sensei this morning. They would both love to have your assistance."

That was good news. "Really?" Haru found herself getting excited. "They said that?"

"As soon as you're dressed and we've taken care of your hand I'll take you over to the academy to meet them both." Kakashi was glad to see Haru looked excited, but Kakashi was going to have a problem controlling his own excitement if he kept on looking at Haru wearing nothing but a towel.

"I'll get ready right away!" Haru stepped over to the bed and brought one hand up to undo the knot holding her towel on. Kakashi stepped out and closed the door as the towel fell to the floor. Haru quickly got dressed.

Kakashi stood outside of his room. It felt like his face was on fire. He had been quick to close Haru into his room to give her privacy to dress, but he did catch a fleeting glimpse of her nakedness. Holy crap…Haru is…Kakashi took a deep breath and tried to calm himself. Just…think unsexy thoughts…He forced himself to picture hokage sama in his underwear. It immediately killed Kakashi's horny. He sighed relived. That was a little too close ne? It would have been pretty embarrassing to introduce Haru san to hokage sama with a boner. Kakashi laughed at himself. A minute later Haru opened the door and stood in front of Kakashi dressed for the day. Kakashi wondered if Haru had an endless supply of tight little tops and colorful flowing skirts.

"Just give me a minute to brush my hair and get my shoes on okay?" Haru hurried to get ready. She was excited about meeting the leader of a shinobi village and a ninja instructor. So cool!

Kakashi took Haru over to the hospital first to have her hand treated. She was amazed by the medical ninja and thanked the guy repeatedly for healing her hand. The medic blushed at Haru's praise and Kakashi smiled. They left the hospital and were headed toward the academy when Kakashi heard a familiar "Oy! Kakashi sensei!"

Kakashi and Haru turned around to see Naruto speeding toward them. "Oy Naruto kun," Haru called back.

Naruto jogged over to his sensei and Haru nee chan. "I've been looking for you."

"You're up early," Kakashi peeked down at Naruto. Of course the kid was up early, he wanted to spend every free moment with their new friend.

Naruto grinned up at Haru. "I thought that I would take you out to breakfast Haru nee chan."

Haru returned Naruto's smile. "Thank you Naruto kun, but we've already had coffee and doughnuts this morning over at the hospital."

Naruto looked at Haru's hand it was all healed up. "I'm glad you're all fixed up nee chan."

"We were just on our way over to the academy," Kakashi informed. "It looks as though I may have found a job or two for Haru san."

"Really?" Naruto's eyes lit up. Kakashi nodded affirmative. "Yosh!" That means you'll stay in Konoha for a while nee chan?"

Haru laughed a little. "I just might do that."

Naruto accompanied them to the Ninja academy telling Haru nee chan all about his days as a student there as they walked along. It was still too early for class to get started the students were just beginning to file in when the trio arrived. Kakashi led them to Iruka's office. Iruka was still at his desk buried under the mountain of work.

"Oy Iruka sensei!" Naruto greeted hurrying into his former teacher's office.

Iruka peered over his stack of folders. "Oy Naruto," he answered smiling a little. It had been nearly two weeks since he had last seen the genin. Behind Naruto Kakashi was leading a woman into Iruka's office. Iruka stared. Whoa…she's beautiful. Is she the assistant Kakashi was talking about? Oh hell yeah! Iruka quickly got to his feet to meet the woman. Standing up he could see all if her that his stack of files had obscured. Iruka saw midriff and cleavage. Whoa…

"Iruka, this is Haru san. She is the one I mentioned to you earlier. Haru this is Umino Iruka. He's an instructor here at the academy."

Iruka smiled at Haru and extended his hand to her. "It's nice to meet you Haru san."

Haru took Iruka's hand and shook it. "It's nice to meet you too Iruka."

"Kakashi has told you about my work? He's told you how overwhelmed I am?" Iruka had already made up his mind. He most defiantly wanted Haru working with him.

"He said you were swamped with work and that you could use someone with an eye for detail." She smiled at Iruka. He was still shaking her hand a little.

"I have about four decades of academy records to sort and catalogue. It's a bloody nightmare in here." Iruka looked from one stack of folders to the next to emphasize his point. "I'll take any help you can offer me Haru san, even if it's only a few hours a week."

"We have to speak with hokage sama too this morning Iruka," Kakashi reminded. "I believe he wants her to do some translating."

Hearing Kakashi's voice snapped Iruka out of his stupor and Iruka let go of Haru's hand. He brought his hand back and rubbed at the back of his neck nervously. "Of course Haru san's work schedule would be totally up to hokage sama. I believe he may be in the faculty lounge looking over next semester's schedules. He was going to do that this morning."

Kakashi watched Iruka watching Haru. His chunin friend was blushing slightly. I guess Iruka has never met someone like Haru. "Perhaps we should track hokage sama down then. Get some sort of an agenda for Haru san ne?" Kakashi looked down at his lady friend. "If you're still willing to take on both jobs that is. As you can see, Iruka has a lot of work to do and hokage sama has even more then this that requires translation."

"Haru nee chan can do it dattebayo!" Naruto interjected. "It will just take a while. Right nee chan?" he beamed up at Haru. He was looking forward to her staying in Konoha for a good long while.

"I can certainly try." Haru bounced her smile from Naruto back up to his former sensei. "I'd really like to help."

"Shall we go look for hokage sama then?" Iruka suggested. He could use the help right away. It would be great if Haru could start today or tomorrow.

"Faculty room you said?" Kakashi started out into the hall. Haru and Naruto were right behind him.

"Hai," Iruka fell in line and they proceeded down the hall and around the corner to the faculty room. When they reached the right door Iruka peeked inside. Hokage was in there looking over the schedules. "Wait here Naruto."

Haru followed Iruka and Kakashi into the faculty room where the leader of the village was sitting. Iruka went and stood beside the Hokage, Kakashi stood with Haru. "Hokage sama this is Haru, the woman I was telling you about. Haru this is Sandaime Hokage of Konoha village," Kakashi got the introductions out of the way.

Haru bowed a little. "Nice to meet you."

The old man sized the young gypsy woman up. Kakashi had seemed to be rather infatuated with the stranger; he wasn't too old to see why. "Welcome to Konoha Haru chan," he smiled a little. She really is a looker.

Haru brightened. She had been a little nervous about meeting the leader of a shinobi village, but the hokage seemed a very pleasant old man. "Thank you."

"Hokage sama," Kakashi began. "Iruka has expressed that he could certainly use some help organizing that travesty in his office."

"Aint that the truth," Iruka groaned.

Hokage rolled his eyes. "As I suppose you've seen Haru chan, Iruka here can use a little help." Iruka's shoulders sagged a little. "It is a rather lengthy and tedious assignment. A lot of checking and re checking. That sort of thing."

Haru's eyebrows went up. Does he want to help Iruka then ne? "I'd be glad to be of assistance in any way that I can."

"A census of every ninja that has ever passed through the academy," Iruka sighed tiredly.

For the moment Hokage ignored Iruka's whining and stayed focused on the woman before him. "There are also a stack of scrolls and documents that could use translating back at my office. Some of the older documents are in Quell and Judan. You are fluent in these languages are you not?"

Haru wanted to be completely honest. "Fluent may be stretching it a little. Quell is a very old language."

"You have read books in Quell though," Kakashi pointed out. "You read Quiet Mountain in Quell right in front of me." Haru looked at him funny and he smiled. Sorry Haru, but this is what Gene wanted.

Haru blinked at Kakashi. "Well yeah, but I don't speak the language. Their phonetic structure has been lost over the ages."

Hokage shook his head. "I don't think being able to speak the language will matter all that much, it's being able to read it that is important. You can do that can't you?"

Haru returned her attention to the elder. "Yes, I can read Judan and Quell."

The old man smiled at Kakashi's pretty young find. "That being the case Haru san, would you consider staying on here in Konoha and doing some translation for me as well as giving poor Iruka here a hand with his assignment? Two pairs of eyes are always better then one, don't you agree?" The young woman looked surprised, but interested. Hokage sweetened the offer. "Certainly you will be paid for your hard work. I will see you have a room on campus. The jonin wing is generally quite peaceful, I'm sure there is an empty room or two on that floor, isn't there Kakashi san?"

Kakashi nodded affirmatively. He had hoped Hokage would put her up on campus but he hadn't expected the old man to offer her a room up with the jonin. There was an empty room two doors down from his. "Yes there are a few unoccupied rooms."

The jonin wing? Haru was taken aback. Why would this guy put me up with his best ninja? Does he not trust me? Does he want me watched? She glanced at Kakashi. She wanted to whisper a few questions to him, but it was a bad idea. The old man was still watching her. "Uhh… excuse me… The jonin wing?"

Sarutobi could sense her suspicion. He smiled a little. So she is a clever girl. "Traveling with Kakashi I'm sure that you have learned that our jonin are our best ninja. They know how to behave themselves; you will not be disturbed and will have total privacy within your room."

"So they aint a bunch of rowdy guys," she thought aloud and then cursed herself for doing so. "Uh, I mean…"

Kakashi suppressed a laugh but Iruka let a giggle slip loose. Hokage chuckled lightly himself. "They're a pretty mellow bunch," he conceded. Haru's cheeks were turning pink. "You would find it quieter, more peaceful to do your reading and studying there." She seemed to catch on reading. Kakashi had mentioned how scholarly Haru was. "Of course you will have access to anything in the library that you may need to put your work in order."

Library! Haru had seen it briefly this morning. "Anything I want out of the library ne?"

Clever indeed, curious too. Sarutobi nodded. "Feel free to study Hidden Leaf and its history. If you enjoy working with Iruka and all goes well then perhaps we could find a more permanent position for you at the academy, if you take a liking to our village that is."

The offer was like none she had ever received. There was no way she could possibly say no. Study the Shinobi? Hell yeah! "I'll do it!" she answered quickly trying not to smile too wickedly. She peeked up at Iruka. He was smiling excited and relieved.

Sarutobi smiled at Haru. "Quite the scholar aren't you Haru? Perhaps you can pass that love of learning onto those around you." He looked up at Kakashi. The jonin was smiling down at the woman he had brought to Konoha. You really like this one ne Kakashi? I can see why. She's more then just a pretty face. "Maybe you can even get a decent book in this guy's hand."

Haru and Iruka giggled as Kakashi startled and blushed a little. Kakashi cleared his throat and straightened. "I've read the classics," he defended.

"You're going to turn your genin into perverts reading that crap around them Kakashi," Hokage threw in one last jab and turned on Iruka. "Well don't just stand there grinning like a fool. Assign this girl a room."

Iruka moved. "Huh!"

Sarutobi turned back to the two in front of him as Iruka hurried out. In the hall he heard Naruto's muffled Yosh! and the old man chuckled lightly. "Kakashi, why don't you and Naruto show Haru around today. Let her get familiar with the place. Help her settle in. I'll work out a schedule with Iruka. Haru can see him in the morning to start her helpful work for Konoha."

Kakashi bowed a little and turned to Haru. "Shall we?"

Haru bowed politely to the elder. "Thank you so much hokage sama."

Sarutobi smiled and flushed at the sight of all that skin she's showing. "I'm sure it will be a great pleasure to have you amongst us Haru chan." She giggled at him and he giggled back.

Kakashi looked away from the old man so he wouldn't see him rolling his eyes. Well the old geezers favorite pastime is chatting with pretty young girls. "Come Haru; let's find out which room will be yours." Kakashi went out and Haru followed.

The old man smiled at the excited voices out in the hall. Both Naruto and Haru sounded thrilled. He chuckled to himself as he lit his pipe. Having Haru around was going to be very exciting indeed.

Kakashi took the lead and in a few minutes they ended up in the main office. Naruto stood outside the office introducing Konohamaru and his friends to Haru. Haru thought the little ones were absolutely adorable. Kakashi pointed out that the two rooms beside his were both empty. Iruka assigned her the one two doors down from Kakashi's so they wouldn't be right on top of each other, not that Iruka thought Kakashi would mind Haru on top of him. He sniggered quietly as his face turned red.

With her room assigned Kakashi and Naruto began to give Haru a guided tour of their village. By nine o'clock Sasuke and Sakura had caught up to them. Everyone offered to help Haru get her things from the carriage back at the ranch and move them to her new room. She accepted their help with a thankful smile.

It didn't take long to get to the ranch, but it did take Haru a while to sort out what of her belongings to bring back to Konoha with her. She let Sakura help her go through the bags and trunks lashed to the carriage. Haru selected a number of books, a few comfort items she had left in the carriage and some more clothes. Haru sifted through a trunk that belonged to her father and helped herself to one of his old button down sweaters. It was kind of ugly and the elbows had been patched, but it was her da's favorite.

There were a few old framed pictures in with her da's stuff too. Haru grabbed the last family portrait that existed of her family and the picture her da took of her and Shanihmaru. She pointed out her mom and her brother Cody to Sakura. Haru told her a little bit about Shanihmaru too. Sakura commented that Haru looked a lot like her mom. She thought that Cody and Shanihmaru were handsome too. Sakura felt bad that all Haru had were the pictures of the dead. It made her want to be close friends with Haru nee chan all the more.

While the ladies sorted through Haru's things the guys bummed around outside of the barn. Kakashi saw Hojo heading out to the back forty and smiled deviously. He started Hojo's way with Sasuke and Naruto right behind him. His boys were smiling viciously too. They stayed out of sight; Hojo never even knew they were there. Kakashi waited until Hojo was rigging up the shit spreader to make his move. He used a wire to trip Hojo and the creep fell ass over teakettle into the wagonload of horse shit. Kakashi smiled behind his mask and the boys stifled their giggles behind their hands.

Haru got her things into three bags and was ready to go by the time the guys returned from their mischievous mission. Kakashi shouldered the heaviest bag full of Haru's books. She apologized for making him carry such a heavy load but Kakashi assured her he didn't mind at all. Naruto carried one bag, Sasuke the other and they headed back to Konoha.

It was lunch time by the time they got back to Konoha and Haru insisted on buying lunch for everyone to show her appreciation for all of their help. Naruto pointed then to the Ichiraku Ramen shop and they had lunch there. Haru watched the young woman behind the counter with her father. It made Haru miss her da just a little more. After lunch the troop headed to the dorm. Kakashi's genin weren't permitted in the jonin wing so he moved to take all of the bags up for Haru himself.

Word had traveled fast and Ebisu hurried across the courtyard to meet the woman Kakashi had brought home with him. "Oy Kakashi!" Ebisu called running over.

"Konnichiwa Ebisu," Kakashi greeted. "What's up?"

Ebisu looked the woman up and down from behind his sunglasses. "You must be Haru. Iruka told me about you. I am Ebisu; it's a pleasure to meet you." He extended his hand to Haru.

"It's nice to meet you too Ebisu. I'm Haru." She took his hand to shake it but instead of a shake Ebisu brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it.

Ebisu kissed the back of Haru's hand. "I hope that we can get to know each other better," he said with a grin.

Kakashi cleared his throat slightly annoyed. Ebisu let go of Haru and turned to Kakashi. "Make yourself useful Ebisu. Take those bags and follow me. We're going to drop this stuff off in Haru san's room."

Ebisu hefted the two bags at Kakashi's feet. "Anything to be of service m'lady."

Haru looked at Ebisu kind of funny and then followed Kakashi up to her new room. They left the bags there for now and headed back out. There was still much more of Konoha for Haru to see.

The afternoon seemed to fly by. Team seven showed her all of the places in Konoha that Haru might find them. Even Sasuke pointed out his house to Haru and he told her to stop by anytime. Haru met Asuma and his team. Ino eyed Haru suspiciously wondering if Sasuke kun had checked the woman out. Choji shook her hand in between handfuls of potato chips. Shikamaru stood beside Asuma as he made small talk with Kakashi and Haru.

Kurenai and her genin were in the training area. Kakashi made the introductions. Haru thought that maybe Hinata had a crush on Naruto. She seemed flushed and uneasy around him. Kiba had an adorable puppy. Haru couldn't resist picking up Akamaru and loving him up. Kiba sat back with Shino watching his lucky dog. After showing Haru some of the training area they headed back toward the village. They were slowly meandering their way through the streets when Gai spotted them.

News traveled fast in Konoha for sure. Gai had heard Kakashi brought some pretty hip chick back to Konoha with him and that she was going to be working at hokage's place and the academy. Gai moved to intercept so he could check Haru out for himself. "Konnichiwa," Gai greeted stepping out in front of Kakashi.

"Yo Gai," Kakashi greeted back. Gai was already smiling at Haru. "Gai san, this is Haru. Haru, Mite Gai," Kakashi introduced.

Haru extended her hand. "It's nice to meet you Gai san."

Gai sized the gypsy up in an instant. Her ample bosom pushing against her tiny top, her colorful full skirt and jingling belt of foreign coins. Haru's long, sun kissed hair spilled over one shoulder. Gai knew at once this chick is so hip! He took her hand smiling at her. "The pleasure is entirely mine Haru san." His teeth glint in the sunlight.

Haru shook Gai's hand laughing a little. "Thank you Gai san."

Gai flashed his smile at Kakashi still holding Haru's hand. It figures. Only someone as hip as Kakashi could find a woman as hip as Haru! "Kakashi, good job bringing this fine young lady safely back to Konoha," he beamed.

Kakashi sighed a little. "Yes well, you can let go of her now Gai."

Gai dropped Haru's hand and laughed. "Protective of her already ne Kakashi?" Gai gave his rival the thumbs up. He turned his smile back to the woman. She looked a little dazed. "Sorry I can't spend more time getting to know you right now Haru san, but I have training to do. My adorable students are waiting for me. Please excuse me." Gai marched happily off.

Haru rolled her eyes over to Kakashi. He was watching Gai walk away with a little frown. "What's up with that guy?" she asked.

"Gai san can be rather… excitable sometimes." Kakashi looked down at Haru. The look on her face was amusing. "Maybe I should have warned you about him ne?"

Haru giggled a little. "Have I met everyone you know yet?" Kakashi just chuckled and shook his head.

Team seven stuck with Haru until right around dinner time. Sakura was the first to go. If she didn't get home in time to help her mom cook dinner she would get nagged half to death. Sakura said her good byes and took off for home. Naruto and Sasuke had no mother at home waiting for them. Haru offered to cook dinner for the guys if one of them wanted to let her in their kitchen. After a bit of a debate it was decided they would go to Sasuke's place. They did some shopping for groceries familiarizing Haru with the various stores in town. Sasuke led the way back to his place.

Kakashi and Naruto sat at the table; Sasuke helped Haru with all of the prep work for dinner. Haru liked Sasuke's kitchen. It was roomy and well stocked with nice dishes and utensils. She whipped up one delicious dish after another with ease. Though Sasuke wouldn't say it out loud, it made him happy to see a woman busy in his kitchen again. After dinner they sat around the table making pleasant conversation. For once Naruto and Sasuke weren't at each others throats.

It was getting late when they left Sasuke's place. Naruto headed home and Kakashi walked Haru back to the dorm. He was contented; today had been quite nice. "Need a hand unpacking Haru san?" Kakashi offered.

Haru had enjoyed the day too. She had seen much and met a lot of nice people. She really was coming to like Konoha. "I suppose you could help me get my books up on the shelf."

"Sure thing." He had carried them all the way here, might as well be the one to put them away.

They took their time strolling back to the dorm. The moon came out from behind the clouds to light their way. Kakashi and Haru went up to her room and she turned on the light. Haru put one bag up on her new bed and Kakashi got the bag loaded with books. "There are a few pictures in there with glass frames," Haru reminded. "They're on top. You can pull them out first."

Kakashi opened the bag and felt for the pictures. There were two; Haru with her family Look how young Gene looked. Haru with a man Kakashi assumed was Shanihmaru. "Just these two?"

Haru looked at the pictures Kakashi held out to her. "Yeah. Our last family portrait so to speak. That picture was taken shortly before ma and Cody died."

Gene had explained to Kakashi that his wife and son had been swept away when their costal homeland was hit by a tsunami. With their home destroyed and their family gone, Gene and Haru began to wander. He passed her the family picture and she put it on the headboard. "Shanihmaru?" Kakashi asked looking at the picture of Haru and a man embracing and smiling for the camera.

Haru smiled sadly and took the picture of her and Shanihmaru. "Yeah." She set it next to the other picture on the headboard. "Shanihmaru and I were together for almost a year before he passed away."

Kakashi wondered if Haru was still mourning her lost love as well as her father. "I must admit, I am impressed Haru san. You've kept your composure in front of my team. It's good for them to see how strong people can be when faced with the loss of someone they love."

"It's not that I don't…" Haru stopped for a moment to collect her thoughts. "It's not that I don't want to cry or mourn my father it's just that I promised him that I wouldn't. After Shanihmaru died I …I mourned him for a long time. Too long I guess. My da made me promise him that I wouldn't mourn him too. No moping around all depressed and no crying. His life was full, he had no regrets. I promised…" She looked away from the pictures and back to Kakashi. "I guess I'm trying to fulfill my da's last request too."

Kakashi smiled a little and nodded at Haru. "I'm glad to hear it."

She smiled back at the jonin. "I'll admit Konoha is a pretty cool place. I might become quite fond of this village after all. The people here are great and I had a wonderful time with you all today."

Kakashi didn't think it would take a full three weeks to convince Haru to stay in Konoha. She was getting there on her own already. "We enjoyed your company too Haru san."

They got busy unpacking. Haru finished with one bag of stuff while Kakashi made his way through the bag of books. Kakashi slid the three Nexus of the Tower books on the shelf together. "This is some pretty heavy reading," he thought aloud.

Haru was shaking a bag of clothes out onto her new bed. "What's heavy?"

Kakashi turned his head away from the bookshelf and looked at Haru. "The Nexus books. The first one gave me such a headache I couldn't go back for more."

Haru laughed. "Some of the theories are a little out there." She emptied the bag and set it aside. "I would have thought that ninjas have an open mind to everything." She picked up a shirt, shook it out and re-folded it.

Kakashi shrugged and put the last two books from the bag up on the shelf, plant identification volumes. "Can't say I believe in aliens."

Haru laughed again as she folded her clothes. "Well maybe not the way they say in the book, but if you think this world is the only one in the universe, hell the multi-verse that has intelligent life…." She stopped. Kakashi had finished putting the books away and was looking at her funny. "What?"

"Multi-verse?"

"Yeah, more then just our universe, many."

He had never heard any multi verse theory, but it sounded familiar. "Like infinity."

Haru nodded. "Something like that."

"That multi verse stuff in one of your books?"

"Nexus two. Wanna borrow it, or are you afraid of the headache?" she teased.

Kakashi pulled the book off the shelf and peeked at the table of contents. "That's a lot of polysyllabic words ne?"

She dropped a folded skirt onto the pile of other neatened clothes. "Well it's not Come Come Paradise. You wanna borrow a dictionary too?"

Kakashi looked up at her. "Funny." He closed the book and took a few steps toward the bed. "I can borrow this?"

"Sure." She smiled satisfied. "Be kinda nice to talk smart stuff to someone once in a while. I look a little crazy talking to myself."

Kakashi smiled behind his mask. "I can certainly try to understand this crap. If I don't get it I'm sure you'll explain it to me."

That got Haru laughing again. "Sure I will Kakashi."

He watched her throw down another folded shirt and pick up another skirt. Beneath the skirt were smaller more delicate items. Panties! He averted his eyes but not before noticing she's got a lot of red ones! To his chagrin she went from folding her skirt to folding her delicates. Kakashi tried to look out the window.

"What's your problem? Ya act like ya never saw a ladies draw's before." Kakashi startled and cut his eyes over to hers. Haru giggled. She wasn't sure, it was too hard to tell with his face behind a mask, but Kakashi looked a bit embarrassed. "Are underpants not aloud here? Okay, fine, I won't wear any then." She was sure his jaw dropped beneath his mask and Haru bubbled laughter.

Kakashi's mouth did fall open no panties? And then Haru was laughing at him. Kakashi cleared his throat and straightened. "Draw's are not forbidden," he teased back using her word, "I suppose its up to you whether or not you want to wear panties."

Haru tittered laughter. "Say it again?"

Kakashi frowned confused. "Say what again?"

"Panties," she gasped a little breathless from laughing.

"Panties." Haru busted up laughing again. "What is so funny about panties?"

It took her a moment to bring herself under control. "I gotta ninja… to say… panties!" Silly laughter took over again.

Kakashi rolled his eyes. He could see why Naruto and Haru got along so well, they were both capable of being quite ridiculous. "I see. Well, congratulations then."

Haru shook her head a little and set to putting her folded clothes away. She was very amused. "I can hardly believe it," she sighed. "Do you have any idea how long it's been since I've had my own bed?" She tucked away her personals and went back to the bed to grab her neat stack of shirts.

About six years, isn't that right Haru san. "You've traveled quite a lot Haru san." Kakashi felt his cheeks cooling with her delicates out of sight.

Haru tucked her shirts into a drawer and closed it with her hip. She turned around again smiling at her bed. "Yeah, sure have." She set to putting her skirts away in another drawer. "Maybe it will be nice to get off the road for a while."

Kakashi could see that Haru's mood was good. She seemed excited to have her own bed room. "This room can be your own private sanctuary Haru san. You'll have your own bed to sleep in each night."

Haru finished putting her clothes away and went to her new bed and sat down on it. The mattress was soft and the blankets were fuzzy. She sighed contentedly and lay back on the bed. "I'm gonna sleep naked every night!"

Oh? Kakashi blinked at the woman sprawled out on her bed. "Uh…"

Haru propped herself up on her elbows and looked at Kakashi. "Don't you ever sleep in the nude Kakashi san?" she couldn't help but flirt a little. Kakashi was handsome, defiantly mysterious and fun to embarrass.

"Uh…" Kakashi tried to fight the mental picture his lecherous side was forming in his mind's eye. Naked Haru san ne? Kakashi cleared his throat. "No, not really. I'm pretty much on call all of the time. Wouldn't want to scare a midnight messenger to death ya know?" he laughed lightly trying to joke away the tension. Did it just get really hot in here?

Haru giggled. "Oh really?"

"Yeah well, I've got some pretty hairy legs." That got Haru laughing again and Kakashi smiled behind his mask. It was late and now seemed like a good time to go so Kakashi took a step back toward the door. "I'll leave you to it then Haru san. If you need anything feel free to ask. I'm a light sleeper so…" Kakashi back pedaled toward the door.

Haru flashed him one last smile. "Thanks Kakashi. Goodnight."

"Goodnight Haru san." Kakashi went out closing the door behind him. He was tempted to linger there a moment and listen. Part of him was dieing to know if she meant what she said about sleeping with no clothes on. Settle down now Kakashi, that's none of your business. He shuffled down the hall to his own room trying to purge his more lecherous thoughts from his mind. Kakashi had to admit though, that Haru, she's some piece of work ne?

Haru finished settling in to her room, stripped off her clothes and climbed into bed. That night she slept better then she had in ages.